Arsenal plot 'big coup' for cheaper Gyokeres alternative Arteta ADORES

Tom Weber

Updated: 22 Apr 2024 15:52 BST
4 min read

Mikel Arteta, Arsenal, 2023/24 — © IMAGO

Arsenal are ready to launch another offensive for Dusan Vlahovic, according to Italian media.

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The Juventus striker and Arsenal go way back. The Gunners had already wanted Vlahovic during his Fiorentina days, but he ultimately decided to snub Mikel Arteta and company and instead joined the Bianconeri for a whopping €83.5 million in January 2022.

Despite this, the interest from Arsenal never subsided. Indeed, FootballTransfers was able to reveal back in November that Arteta still considered Vlahovic the ideal striker for his system. Since then, however, things have gone somewhat quiet.

This is because, over the winter, bad news for Arsenal began leaking from Italy. It was claimed that Vlahovic was in talks with Juventus over a new contract and that he was leaning towards an extension with the Old Lady. With talk of a new deal growing louder, Arsenal began focusing on different options, chief among them Viktor Gyokeres.

As revealed by FootballTransfers, the Sporting CP sharpshooter is the Gunners' number-one target for the summer and Gyokeres is keen on the move. He won't come cheap due to his €100 million release clause, though Arsenal are poised for a transfer window of record spending.

A cheaper alternative?

Despite Arteta and sporting director Edu trying to take a bolder approach to recruitment in order to complete their project that is set to rival the best of the best in Europe, it would be foolish not to pounce on certain opportunities. One of those opportunities could be Vlahovic.

The Serb's new contract has still not been announced and as long as the ink isn't dry, speculation surrounding his future will continue as Juventus are trying to raise funds. Tuttosport claims that Arsenal are well aware of this and have 'a big coup in mind.'

It is asserted that the Gunners could go back in for Vlahovic with a major offer, though he may prove a cheaper option than €100m Gyokeres. Juventus will surely try to recoup the €80m+ they spent in 2022, but given his often unimpressive form in Turin, it is unlikely that they will be in a position to demand in excess of €100m.

Juventus are looking to reinforce their midfield with Atalanta's Teun Koopmeiners and will need to raise at least €50m-€60m to secure their top target. Vlahovic, after already being offered up in exchange for Chelsea's Romelu Lukaku last summer, could once again be a candidate for sacrifice.